James Ira Thomas Jones

Infobox Military Person
name=James Ira Thomas Jones


caption=
born=18 April 1896
died=30 August 1960
placeofbirth=Carmarthenshire, Wales
placeofdeath=Aberaeron, Wales
placeofburial=Sarnau Chapelyard, Bancyfelin
nickname=Ira Jones, Taffy Jones
allegiance=United Kingdom
branch=Royal Flying Corps
serviceyears=1913–1936
1939–1945
rank=Captain
unit=No. 74 Squadron RAF
commands=
battles=World War I
World War II
awards=Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross and bar
Military Medal
relations=
laterwork=Author

James Ira Thomas "Taffy" Jones DSO, MC, DFC & Bar, MM (18 April 1896–30 August 1960) was a British flying ace during the First World War. Jones was born on 18 April 1896 at Woolstone Farm, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire. In 1913, Jones enlisted in the Territorial Army though he was soon transferred into the newly established Royal Flying Corps. It was whilst serving as an air mechanic that Jones received the Military Medal. Jones commenced pilot training in August 1917 after being commissioned. After completing his training he joined No. 74 Squadron RAF, led by Edward "Mick" Mannock.

Throughout his service at No. 74 Squadron RAF Jones won several awards and decorations; being awarded the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar and the Distinguished Service Order. Although having a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land, Jones recorded 37 victories in just 3 months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 during the First World War. After retiring in 1936, Jones was recommissioned after the outbreak of the Second World War, and flew briefly during the Battle of Britain. After retiring again at the end of the Second World War, Jones lived in Wales where he wrote three books on the RAF. He died in 1960 through complications after a fall at his home in Wales.

Career

Jones was born on 18 April 1896 at Woolstone Farm, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire.

First World War

In 1913, Jones enlisted in the Territorial Army. When the First World War started, Jones transferred into the fledgling Royal Flying Corps, and joined No. 10 Squadron RAF as an air mechanic. In July 1915 he was sent to France and by January 1916 he was flying combat missions as an observer. Jones was awarded the Military Medal in September 1916, for rescuing five wounded gunners, whilst he was working as ground crew himself. He was awarded the Russian Order of the Cross of St. George in January 1917 after receiving several commendations for bravery. He was commissioned in August 1917, and was sent to England to commence Pilot Training. After completing his training, Jones was posted to No. 74 Squadron RAF, led by Edward "Mick" Mannock and it was with this Squadron that he earned his decorations for bravery.

Jones was awarded several decorations during the First World War. These included the Military Cross and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. On 3 August 1918, the London Gazette announced that Jones was to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the following citation: "In eleven days this officer attacked and destroyed six enemy aeroplanes, displaying great courage, skill and initiative." [LondonGazette |issue=30827 |date=1918-08-02 |startpage=9201 |endpage= |supp=yes |accessdate=2008-08-09]

In September 1918 Jones was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, one of an offensive patrol, engaged and shot down in flames a two-seater, which fell to earth. Ten days later, on offensive patrol, he shot down a Hannover two-seater, which crashed. The next day, when patrolling, he pursued, overtook and shot down an Albatross two-seater. During the same flight he met a Halberstadt two-seater and killed the observer, who either jumped or fell overboard, but had to break off as his ammunition was finished. The next day he shot a balloon down in flames. Three days later he got a good burst with both guns on a Pfalz scout, both wings coming off. He has driven two others down out of control." [LondonGazette |issue=30901 |date=1918-09-13 |startpage=10973 |endpage= |supp=yes |accessdate=2008-08-09]

Later on in the same month, Jones was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. The Gazette quoted Jones as being a "A gallant officer who in the last three months has destroyed twenty-one enemy aeroplanes." [LondonGazette |issue=30913 |date=1918-09-20 |startpage=11248 |endpage= |supp=yes |accessdate=2008-08-09] In November 1918, Jones was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His citation read: "Since joining his present Brigade in May last this officer has destroyed twenty-eight enemy machines. He combines skilful tactics and marksmanship with high courage. While engaged on wireless interception duty he followed a patrol of nine Fokker biplanes, and succeeded in joining their formation unobserved. After a while two Fokker’s left the formation to attack one of our artillery observation machines. Following them, Captain Jones engaged the higher of the two, which fell on its companion, and both machines fell interlocked in flames." [LondonGazette |issue=30989 |date=1918-11-01 |startpage=12960 |endpage= |supp=yes |accessdate=2008-08-09]

Throughout his service career, Jones had a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land. By the end of the War though, he had scored 37 victories in just 3 months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 with 74 Squadron in France.cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/wales/jones5.php |title=James Ira Thomas Jones |publisher=Aerodrome.com |accessdate=2008-08-09] Jones was once quoted as saying: "It is wonderful how cheered a pilot becomes after he shoots down his first machine; his morale increases by at least 100 percent." [cite book|last=Shaw |first=Robert L. |title=Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering | publisher=Annapolis: United States Naval Institute |date=1985 |pages=57] After the end of hostilities, Jones volunteered to fight with the White movement against the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War and was posted to the Archangel front but saw no further air combat.

Second World War

Sources are uncertain as to the extent of Jones' service in the Second World War. One of his obituaries quotes a story from 1939 when, at the age of 45, Jones tried to get into the Royal Air Force at Windsor Castle. King George VI told him: "You are too old, Taffy. It's a young man's game." [The Bridgeport Post (Bridgeport, Connecticut), Tuesday, 30 August 1960, p 29] Jones age withstanding, he re-enlisted in 1939 and saw action in the Battle of Britain. One of his most famed actions occurred during this campaign when, whilst flying an unarmed Hawker Henley, he attacked a Junkers Ju 88 bomber with a Very pistol, a type of flare gun. His actions were enough to fight off the Junkers which returned to its base.

Later life

Jones wrote 3 books after his service career ended. One was a biography of Edward Mannock, his other two books were about the history of 74 Squadron. Jones died on 30 August 1960 after a fall at home in Aberaeron, and was buried at Sarnau Chapelyard, near Bancyfelin. There is also a special commemoration to Jones by St. Clears War Memorial which he had the honour of unveiling. [cite web| url=http://www.laugharnewarmemorial.co.uk/page48.htm |title=The Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour |publisher=laugharnewarmemorial |accessdate=2008-08-09]

References